NOVA Annandale
| Geology | Bentley | GOL 105
Geology of the Billy Goat Trail, including Great Falls, Maryland
NOVA Annandale
| Geology | Bentley | GOL 105 |
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The Billy Goat Trail is a ~3 mile trail on rock outcrops between the Potomac River and the C&O Canal, in C&O Canal National Historical Park.
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It is extremely rough terrain: they don't call it "Billy Goat" for nothing. Be aware that by signing up for this trip you will not only learn a lot of geology, you will also get a strenuous physical workout. This photo shows one of the more extreme areas along the Billy Goat Trail: about halfway through, we must climb "The Traverse," a ~25º steep 'climb' up a series of cracks in the rock. Though it looks much worse than it actually is, you will need both hands free to get up it. Bring any food you expect to eat and water you expect to drink on the hike. There are no opportunities to purchase food or water on the trail. Be prepared! There are bathrooms at one end of the trail (at the Great Falls Tavern visitor center), and portable toilets at the other end (near Old Angler's Inn). Please e-mail me or call if you have any questions about whether you will be physically capable to hike the Billy Goat Trail.
Photograph by David Sloan. |